The Shakeout Podcast

The Rundown returns for a special World Championships preview. With the biggest week in Track and Field of the year finally here, host John Gay and Canadian Running staff writer Marley Dickinson connect to break down all the biggest Canadian story lines heading into Tokyo.

Also joining the show is Canadian national team member and 2024 Olympian in the 1500m, Kate Current. Kate joins the conversation from Athletics Canada's final phase training camp in Gifu, Japan, where she's putting the finishing touches on her own preparations, hoping to continue riding a wave of breakout performances and personal bests this season agains the world's best.

In addition to sharing about her meteoric rise through the ranks of middle distance running this year, Kate also gives us the inside scoop on the atmosphere within Team Canada's camp as they head into these championships. After an historic showing at the last edition in Budapest, where Canada took home a record 5 Gold Medals, look for the red and white contingent to be setting there sights on even greater heights in the Japanese capital. 

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Follow Kate Current on Instagram @Kate_Current

Checkout runningmagazine.ca for up-to-date reporting on all the action from Tokyo

Run club culture is on the rise in Canada and globally, yet for many would-be participants the idea of showing up can be an intimidating one, especially when their own cultures and ethnicities are underrepresented. 

With an eye on creating greater representation in the sport of running, a new wave of culturally focused run clubs are on the rise in cities across Canada, setting out to make participation more inviting to a diverse array of runners from all backgrounds and cultures. 

This week on the Shakeout Podcast we sit down with run club leaders and organizers making a difference in their communities by promoting a more inclusive version of run club culture. Mel Merzeau of Black Runners of the GTA, Ekua Cudjoe of Soleful Runs, Alex & Vince Hyunh of Asian Toronto Run Club and Tep Bautista of Filipinos in the 6ix Run Club (FIT6ix) join the show to talk about their work, the rise of BIPOC run clubs, and how the broader running community can become a more welcoming space for all. 

Social Media Accounts

Black Runners of the GTA & Scarborough 5k

-2026 Scarborough 5k: June 6th, 2026

Soleful Runs

-Saturdays @ 10am: N Toronto CI Field 17 Broadway Ave, Toronto

Asian Toronto Run Club

-Saturdays @10am, Wednesdays @6:30pm   - Canoe Landing Park, Toronto

Filipinos in the 6ix Run Club

-Sundays @9am  at Love Park - 96 Queens Quay, Toronto

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This week on the Shakeout Podcast we're joined by Justyn Knight, Olympic finalist, multi-time NCAA Division 1 national champion, and the second fastest man in Canadian history over 5000m. 

After a devastating injury sustained at the 5000m final at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 kept Knight off the track for nearly 4 years, he's back competing against the world's best in 2025. Fresh off a podium-performance at the Canadian championships and a 13:03 clocking in the 5k just days ago in Europe, Knight joins the show to talk about the long road back to the top of the distance running world. 

Following years of injury, and a move across the continent to train alongside Canadian record holder Moh Ahmed as part of the Oregon-based Nike Swoosh Track Club, the Toronto-born Knight is still chasing the same lofty goals as ever, albeit with a perspective that's been formed in the trials of the past several years.

Follow Justyn @justyn.knight 

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With the fall road race season fast approaching, now's the time to dial in your fuelling strategy to make sure you get the most out of yourself on race day. Joining the show to answer all your marathon fuelling questions is Rachel Hannah, registered dietitian and 5xCanadian champion on the roads and track.

Rachel breaks down the science of fuelling, from day-to-day to peak performance, and shares tips from her own elite marathoning career, including a meal-by-meal breakdown of her race weekend at the 2025 Boston Marathon, where she was the 2nd Canadian woman in a time of 2:34:42. Whether you're tackling your first marathon or you're a seasoned vet, Rachel is here to lend her personal experience and professional expertise to help runners of all abilities dial in their nutrition strategy in training to maximize their performance while racing. 

If you're looking for extra guidance for your training and racing goals, be sure to check out rachelhannahrd.com

You can follow Rachel @Rachelhannahrd 

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Huge thank you to this week's sponsor Altitude Sports. Shop now and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.

The Rundown returns for this week's episode of the Shakeout Podcast. John Gay is joined by Canadian Running staff writer Marley Dickinson to recap the action from last week's Canadian National Championships and do a deep dive into who's in, who's out, and who's on the qualifying bubble for the 2025 World Athletics championships in Tokyo next month.

Later on the show, we catch up with newly-minted Canadian 1500m Champion, 21 year old Max Davies. After missing the outdoor seasons in 2023 and 2024 with injury, Max is back and better than ever in 2025, outkicking an elite field of Canadian middle-distance talent to win his first senior national title last week in Ottawa. With his eyes set on a qualifying mark for Tokyo, he joins the show to discuss his return from injury, his record breaking season, and how he's leaned into his status as the dark horse in the hotly contested qualifying battle for Canadian team heading to Tokyo. 

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Follow The Shakeout Podcast @shakeoutpodcast

Huge thank you to this week's sponsor Altitude Sports. Shop now and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.

TIMELINE

0:00 - Rundown of Canadians qualifying for Tokyo ft. Marley Dickinson

1:04:17 - Canadian 1500m National Champion & U23 Record Holder Max Davies 

Cover Photo: @johnwithlenses

This week on The Shakeout Podcast we bring you a conversation between Brian Beckstead, founder of pioneering low and no-drop running shoe maker Altra, and Canadian Running staff writer Marley Dickinson. 

Brian joins the show for a conversation about his own journey in the sport, recapping how his years-long struggle with recurring injuries and decade-plus of experience in the run specialty retail world combined to form the kernel of Altra’s innovative approach to shoe design.

From their origins creating a shoe that emphasized natural movement through their signature low-drop, natural toe-box fit to the continuing innovation at the heart of the company today, tune it to hear how Brian and his team are on a mission to help athletes of all abilities run faster, further, and more naturally by using their feet the way nature intended. 

Checkout Altra

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This week on the Shakeout Podcast we're joined by Kelowna, BC's Jerome Blake, a member of Canada's Olympic Gold medal-winning 4x100m relay and the fastest man in Canada this year in the lead up to this weekend's Canadian Track & Field Championships in Ottawa.

A core member of Canada's dominant 4x100 relay team throughout its multi-year global medal streak, Blake has announced himself as a contender in the individual events as well, becoming just the 6th man in Canadian history to eclipse the 10-second barrier in the 100m with his 9.97 clocking in Dessau, Germany last month.

Tune in this week as Jerome shares about the changes in training and mindset that led to a breakout season and why he believes the best is yet to come as he eyes his first national title this weekend in Ottawa at the Canadian Track & Field Championships.

Thanks to this week's sponsor Altitude Sports. Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.

Subscribe to The Shakeout Podcast feed on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you find your podcasts.

Follow Jerome @_jeromeblake

Follow The Shakeout Podcast @shakeoutpodcast

In part 2 of our series on gender equality in road races we sit down with Canada Running Series CEO and TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon race director Charlotte Brookes. 

After noticing a sharp drop off in female marathon participation post-pandemic, Charlotte and her team at CRS set out to address the decline, with the aim of bringing more gender parity to starting lines across CRS events. At the heart of their initiative has been their "Women's Training Program"  in partnership with Mile2Marathon, offering a free 16-week training plan to all female participants in the marathon and half-marathon events at Toronto Waterfront.

Now in it's second year, the program has seen participation quadruple since it's inception in 2024 and with it a growing community of motivated female participants supporting one another on their journey to the finish line this October 19th. 

Tune in this week to hear more about the work Charlotte and her team at CRS are doing as well as how her own experience as a new mother and runner has given her wider perspective on the needs of female athletes. 

You can find part 1 of our series here. 

Thanks to this week's sponsor Altitude Sports. Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.

You can sign up for the Women's Training program for free by clicking here: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/womens-training-program/

For more information on the Toronto-area run clubs supporting TWM's initiatives, as well as TCS Toronto Waterfront's women's training program partners, checkout the links below:

Kardia - https://www.instagram.com/kardiaathletica?igsh=Zjg4NDhraXplYXcz

Chix Run the 6ix - https://www.instagram.com/chixrunthe6ix?igsh=bm50dDUxY2VnNG03

Badass Lady Gang - https://www.instagram.com/badassladygang?igsh=OXExeG8yeGZqeGNx

Hill Run Club - https://www.instagram.com/hillstudiowellness?igsh=aXd4Z3o0ZGdhbTg4

Partners for the program:

https://www.instagram.com/asicscanada?igsh=d3Y5ZzQxbTAxZXc=

https://www.instagram.com/mile2marathon?igsh=MTdmemdsbmZ3dGM1bw==

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Despite rising total participation in road races, the gap between male and females toeing the line is growing. 

This week on the Shakeout Podcast we bring you part one of our two part series examining the gender gap in road race participation. Joining the show today is Dr. Sasha Gollish, co-host of the “Strong Girl Talk” Podcast, author of the Yellow Running Shoe newsletter, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC). 

A Canadian masters record holder, Canadian University Champion, and multi-time Canadian National team member on the road, track, and trail Sasha has long been a champion of promoting gender equity and initiatives that support higher female participation in athletics. 

She joins us today to share her perspective from a lifetime of involvement in running, and highlight some of the promising initiatives currently underway. Stay tuned for part 2 next week, where we'll sit down with TCS Toronto Waterfront Race Director Charlotte Brookes to hear about the initiatives she and her race organizing team are championing to actively support female athletes.

Thanks to this week's sponsor Altitude Sports. Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.

Follow Sasha  ⁨@SGollishRuns⁩  and at the "Strong Girls Talk" Podcast 

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Cover Photo Credit: @_Nikkiross 

Youtube LInk: 

This episode is brought to you by Altitude Sports! Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

Conditions apply: Valid for a limited time on regular-priced items. Cannot be combined with other offers or the member discount. One use per customer.

This week on The Shakeout Podcast we welcome back multiple-time Canadian Record holder and 2xOlympian Gabriela DeBues-Stafford. After consecutive injury-plagued seasons that left her just short of qualifying for her third Olympic team in Paris last summer, she joins us from her new training base in Edinburgh, Scotland on the heels of a scorching fast 14:47 clocking in the 5000m that has earned her a qualifying mark for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. 

Gabriela takes us through the process of coming back from injury and how she's rediscovered her knack for racing under the guidance of husband and newly-appointed coach Rowan DeBues-Stafford. Tune in this week to hear more about her decision to move to Europe, the potential for a 1500m-5000m double, and what it means to be eyeing a return to Tokyo and the Olympic Stadium after years spent battling injury. 

Follow Gabriela @GabrielaStafford